Contents

Primary Guidance

At minimum, bus stops shall be designed to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines

Bus stops typically include an ADA-compliant passenger boarding area and signage as well as amenities such as shelters, benches, and trash receptacles

Concrete bus pads should be constructed based on bus service frequency and transit vehicle type used

Where bus stops are a part of a park and ride or transfer facility, site access and on-site traffic for buses should be separated from automobile traffic to the greatest extent feasible

Discussion

Bus stops should be designed to be distinct and easily identifiable to customers. At minimum, bus stops shall be designed to meet Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines.

Bus Stop Facilities

Passenger Boarding Area and Signage

At a minimum, a bus stop must meet ADA Accessibility Guidelines and should have standard signing to identify the bus stop location and the routes served. Streetscape improvements such as curb ramps and improvement of longitudinal/cross slopes should be considered to improve access for people with disabilities in accordance with the ADA. Landing pads are provided at stops where the curb service point is separated from the sidewalk by a grass strip in order to accommodate service for customers using wheelchairs.

Bus Shelters

Bus shelters should be considered at locations with substantial boarding where space permits without impeding sidewalk use and where service quality would be improved. Basic shelter requirements would be modularity, accessibility, vandal resistance, low maintenance, and visual transparency for safety.

Bus Pads

Bus stops should have a concrete bus pad on roadway that is typically 90 ft. long and as wide as the bus lane. Roadway pavement or bus pads for the bus stop should be evaluated for suitability for the anticipated frequency of bus traffic and to meet requirements of the local jurisdictions. Reinforced concrete pavement slabs should be considered to prevent pavement deterioration due to bus loads and the effects of braking. In situations with low frequency bus service and in consultation with the local jurisdiction, the provision of a concrete pad may be waived.

Bus Stops at Park and Ride or Transfer Facilities

Where bus stops are a part of a park and ride or transfer facility, site access and on-site traffic for busses should be separated from automobile traffic to the greatest extent feasible.

Bus stops located at park and ride or other transfer facilities should incorporate enhanced features that promote improvement in service quality and strengthen connections to other transportation modes. These enhanced features include:

Enhanced Signage for wayfinding and transfer information

Real Time Information Signage

Bicycle Storage

NOTE: At BWI, no bike storage lockers are to be placed on the premises of the Airport Terminal.